A massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck off the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, triggering widespread tsunami alerts across the Pacific region, including Russia, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake occurred at 04:54 IST at a depth of 55 km, with its epicentre located at latitude 52.56°N and longitude 160.10°E, off the Kamchatka coast.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicentre to be approximately 136 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk, Russia. The quake is believed to have resulted from shallow reverse faulting in the subduction zone between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates, which converge at a rate of about 77 mm per year.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) issued tsunami advisories and watches, including a Tsunami Advisory for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, stretching from Attu to Samalga Pass. Tsunami warnings were also issued for Russia and Japan, with forecasts of waves over 3 meters in Russian coastal areas and up to 1 meter in Japan.
A Tsunami Watch was placed for Hawaii, Guam, and surrounding Pacific territories, although no immediate evacuations were reported.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency echoed the concern, warning of a possible tsunami reaching its eastern coastline, according to Kyodo News.
The Kuril-Kamchatka Arc, where the quake originated, is known for frequent seismic activity due to tectonic interactions along the subduction zone. The USGS noted that such shallow earthquakes can cause intense surface shaking, increasing the potential for damage and casualties.
Emergency services across affected regions remain on high alert as authorities continue to monitor the situation for aftershocks and possible tsunami landfall.
